The College Football Season is back and all is right in (my) the world. 151 years of the greatest regular season of any team sport shows us why this game has so many rivalries. September has been a slow start and we won’t get the other 2 power conferences back for a while but beggars can’t be choosy. The SEC kicks off hence the reason why we can say the sport is back in swing.
Marquee Matchups
#8 Auburn vs. #23 Kentucky: Auburn’s QB Box Nix received much fanfare as a kid that was meant to be a Tiger signal-caller. With a year under his belt the sophomore Nix must prove himself after an up and down first year as a starter. That’s not to say Nix didn’t show promise, setting a school record for freshman in passing yards and touchdowns. Nix is currently riding a streak of 191 attempts without a pick and Auburn’s offense did show plenty of fireworks down the stretch. Kentucky plays a throwback brand of run the crap out of the ball and play sound defense. The Wildcats offensive line is impressive and will be a key for Kentucky to have success against a rebuild Auburn Defensive line.
The Pick: Auburn 26 Kentucky 20
#21 Pittsburgh vs. #24 Louisville: Through 2 outings the Panthers are 2-0 and look to start 3-0 facing off with a Cardinal squad that got beat by Miami in a shootout on national television last Saturday. Louisville’s offense was humming along nicely but their defense saw a few broken plays with guys running wide open. Pittsburgh senior quarterback Kenny Pickett is back for his 3rd year as a starter and the Pitt defense has been stout thus far. RB Javian Hawkins and WR Tutu Atwell make for a nice pair of skilled players that should be able to put points on the board for Louisville in this ACC mathcup. The Cardinals lick their wounds and fight back to earn a solid victory on the road.
The Pick: Louisville 27 Pittsburgh 23
Under The Radar
#16 Tennessee vs. South Carolina: The Volunteers faithful have been in a holding cycle patiently waiting for a winner. Tennessee comes into 2020 riding a 6-game winning streak and want to turn the page to become a legit program once again. The Gamecocks brought in graduate transfer Collin Hill from Colorado State but are inexperience in a few positions spots. Tennessee’s first victory that started the 6 wins in a row was funny enough a 41-21 beat down over South Carolina. A competitive game turns into a clean victory for Vols QB Jarrett Gaurantano and company.
The Pick: Tennessee 34 South Carolina 23
Saturday Upset Special
#15 Oklahoma State had a super-shaky start sneaking by Tulsa making them susceptible to an upset by unranked West Virginia.
Hardcore Barnburners
TCU vs. Iowa State: Iowa State lost to the Rajun Cajuns but TCU isn’t coming off a great year so on paper this should be a pick’em type game with the outcome still in the balance late in the 4th quarter.
Against The Spread
#14 Cincinnati should be able to defeat #22 Army but the Black Knights ground attack will keep them in the game enough to lose by less than 14 points.
Quick Hits
-#7 Notre Dame scored their 2nd largest home shutout over South Florida last week giving them 20 straight home wins the most in over 80 years.
-Navy’s 24-point comeback was largest in school history in a 27-24 victory over Tulane.
-Oklahoma State’s RB Chubba Hubbard 11-game run of a 100-yard rushing was snapped in an ugly albeit 16-7 win over Tulsa.
-#12 Miami made more field goals of 40+ yards in one game versus Louisville than the Canes did all of last year. Kicker Jose Borregales made good from 57, 48, and 40 yards.
-#13 Central Florida has now scored at least 30 points in 39 out their last 40 games.
-The Louisiana Rajun Cajuns are ranked for the first time since 1943 after pulling off a 31-14 shocker over Iowa State in Week 2.
Written by Chris Carlson Host of The College Ball Show Podcast available at blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperadio or TheGruelingTruth.Net
Follow on Twitter @RopeADopeRadio
